Brightly-painted former church in rural Tasmania is ripe for redevelopment

A brightly-painted former church in a small village in Tasmania is ripe for redevelopment.

The former Presbyterian church dates back to 1886 and is located in Kempton, about 50 minutes from the capital, Hobart.

Now, decades after it was last used as a church, it is being sold with hopes it can be turned into a home or business.

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88 Main Street, Kempton TAS 7030

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The property, 88 Main Street, Kempton, sits on 742 square metres of land and is being marketed as a rare opportunity for a residential or commercial church conversion, subject to council approval.

Kempton is a small, colonial village and classified historic town which was first settled in 1814. 

First known as Green Ponds, it features quaint Georgian cottages, shops and farm buildings.

While the Heritage Highway now bypasses the town, it is popular with tourists.

According to the listing, Kempton is “nestled within the rich tapestry of history” and “stands as a testament to colonial heritage.”

“Commanding street presence through its Victorian Carpenter Gothic ecclesiastical architecture, this stately property is primely located in the north-east boundary of the flat allotment,” the listing states.

The timber church features soaring ceilings, pine-panelled walls, a stained glass window and a small kitchen.

“With its village zoning and an existing precedent for church conversions in the suburb, this presents a unique chance to transform a time capsule into a thriving residential or commercial space that honours the area’s storied past.”

According to Churches of Tasmania, the Presbyterian Church first appointed a minister to a nearby district in 1874 before the minister’s headquarters was moved to Kempton in 1882. 

Services were conducted in a lecture hall while moves were made to build a church, which finally opened in July 1886.

The church, which stands on sandstone, was built out of wood and lined with pine boards to lower costs.

“After the 1950s, the church ceased being used and fell into disrepair,” it said. 

“A bequest made by Mr Thomas Gorringe enabled the restoration of the building.”

In recent years, the church was used as a community hall and became known as the ‘Blue Place’.

Cam Rogers and Matthew MacDonald of Wolf Property Hobart are handling the sale.

MacDonald told Nine Property the owners were hoping to fetch a price of over $350,000.

“The church has been vacant since the current owners have had it,” he said.

“They are locals. They had some preliminary interest in turning it into a cafe but did not go further with it.”